Chapter 104: Video Call
The video call connected, the screen in Principal Joseph’s office flickering to life. It revealed two faces, a man and a woman, looking tired but sharp against the bland, generic backdrop of an airport lounge.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dameire, thank you for making time for us on such short notice," Ms. Albright began, her voice calm and professional.
"Of course," Kofi’s dad said. His face was a mask of polite concern, but his eyes were fixed on Kofi, who was sitting just out of the webcam’s main view. "Kofi told us the basics. We want to help in any way we can."
’The basics. Yeah, that’s one word for it.’ Kofi stared at his own hands, folded in his lap.
"As you know, the situation with Thea is... complex," Ms. Albright continued, choosing her words with care. "She has been a victim of severe and prolonged neglect. Her legal guardian has effectively abandoned her. While my office has opened an emergency case, the process of finding a suitable long-term placement will take a significant amount of time."
Kofi’s mom leaned closer to the screen. "And in the meantime, she has nowhere to go."
"Precisely," the principal affirmed, his voice a low rumble. "Which brings us to the reason for this call. A highly unorthodox proposal has been put forward."
Ms. Albright took over, her gaze steady. "Your son, Kofi, has provided a safe and stable environment for Thea. The doctor has noted a significant improvement in her psychological state since she has been in his care, however temporary. Given the lack of viable alternatives, we believe the best course of action is to formalize this arrangement until a permanent solution is found."
There was a pause. Kofi could feel the weight of their silence from thousands of miles away.
"Formalize it how?" his dad asked.
"We would like to designate Kofi as Thea’s temporary foster sibling, with your full consent. Legally, it places her within a family unit and offers both of them a crucial layer of social and legal protection."
’Foster sibling. It still sounds so weird when someone else says it.’